Bicycle Light Questions....?

Hi all,



I was wondering if you can help, I am an Engineering Student at Bournemouth University and developing a new bicycle light for my final year project....would anybody help me out and fill out my questionnaire?



If you can get back to me with the question number and your answer it would be very much appreciated!!



I'll get back to you with my completed designs and keep you updated on the progress!!



Kind Regards



Matt



1. How many bicycle journeys do you make during the week?



2. How long do you spend on each journey?



3. What are the destinations for these cycle journeys?



4. How much would you expect to pay for a good quality bicycle head lamp?



5. How much would you expect to pay for a good quality dynamo unit?



6. What light output do you prefer from a cycle headlight? (Flashing or Constant)



7. In you opinion what are the problems with existing dynamo systems?



8. Please rate on a scale of one to five the importance of these light features:



a) Appearance

b) Weight

c) Light Functions

d) Dynamo compatibility

e) Build Quality

f) Weather Resistance

g) Quick Release from cycle

h) Handle Bar Adjustment

i) Recyclibility of Materials

j) Cost

k) Battery Life

m) Ease of Installation



THANKYOU!!

 

1. 1-7
2. 5 minutes - 7-8+ hours
3. here there everywhere
4. I would only shell out maybe $20-30 but the main reason I would have one is that othere people will see me... if I'm out after dark on the bike I usually stick to well lighted areas. Of course I'd pay more if I had to commute down county roads with no streetlights at 5 am, but I don't have to
5. I wouldn't. Part of the reason I ride my bike is becuase I like to go fast, a dynamo takes energy away from the bike, meaning the bike goes slower, meaning I don't like dynamo's.
6. I'd want one with both functionsm flashing when the road is well lighted, constant if I do happen to end up someplace with no streetlights.
7. see 5. You can't solve that problem and still have a dynamo, becuase if you did, you wouldn't have a dynamo
8. a) 3/10
b)5
c)7
d)0
e)8
f)9
g)7
h)5
i)6
j)7
k)5
l(you put m)6

 

1. How many bicycle journeys do you make during the week?

3-5

2. How long do you spend on each journey?

1:30 to 4 hours

3. What are the destinations for these cycle journeys?

Well from where i start but my turnaround point varies (a lot)

4. How much would you expect to pay for a good quality bicycle head lamp?

£40

5. How much would you expect to pay for a good quality dynamo unit?



6. What light output do you prefer from a cycle headlight? (Flashing or Constant)

Constant

7. In your opinion what are the problems with existing dynamo systems?



8. Please rate on a scale of one to five the importance of these light features:



a) Appearance = 2

b) Weight = 3

c) Light Functions = 4

d) Dynamo compatibility = 4

e) Build Quality = 4

f) Weather Resistance = 5

g) Quick Release from cycle = 5

h) Handle Bar Adjustment = 4

i) Recyclibility of Materials = 3

j) Cost = 4

k) Battery Life = 5

m) Ease of Installation = 5

 

What about the lights that are really bright and light up the road/path for riding at night, has anyone tried those?

 

I have the NiteRider MiNewt Dual 700 linked below. I'm sure some other "serious" lights are good too. I used it all winter on my 7 mile commute via a very dark trail. It is just incredibly bright and great in every way. Sort of like having a pair of car headlights on the bike. You can aim each light individually as you like, It has three brightness settings and you can use only one light head if you want. In blink mode it is so bright that I feel I am in a room lit by a strobe light even on a fairly bright road at night. So that can be disconcerting but cars will approach you really carefully because they don't know what is going on and think I am a cop or emergency vehicle I think. The blink mode is probably best before it gets too dark.

I also have a little Planet Bike Blaze 2 Watt light that I used before I got the NiteRider. The Blaze is a complete joke by comparison. It helps a bit on a road that has streetlights and helpws you be seen but now that I know better, I would only use it on a dark trail if that is all I had or could afford. Of course it is much less expensive and much much less powerful. The Blaze only will light up a very narrow portion of the trail in front of the bike and I got surprised by holes and bumps. Anyone walking on the side of the trail is a complete surprise to me when I pass them because the beam is so narrow. The light from the Blaze does not project far enoug so I have to ride pretty slowly and stay focused on the one area of the road in front of the bike that it does light. Once a tree had fallen part way across the trail and would have taken my head out if I had been going any faster because I luckily saw a hint of it when I got less than 10 feet from it and ducked.

http://www.niterider.com/products/rechargeable-lights/minewt700dua/